Toyota prepares a hydrogen Hilux with Toyota Mirai technology

Toyota continues to make progress in the development of hydrogen technology. And now, the Japanese brand has turned its attention to commercial vehicles, where it sees a clear opportunity for fuel cells. Toyota has applied for a grant from the British Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), with a project to contribute to the development of cleaner mobility solutions based on hydrogen. The APC is responsible for promoting research and development projects to help bring a concept to the prototype phase.

A pick-up truck with a hydrogen fuel cell

And that is what Toyota is currently working on, developing a Toyota Hilux powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. The project will be carried out by Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK, which will have partners such as Ricardo, ETL, D2H and Tatcham Research, all of which specialise in engineering solutions. The aim is to convert a Toyota Hilux to adapt the propulsion system of the Toyota Mirai, equipped with the second generation of Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell.

Let's remember that the Mirai, along with the Hyundai Nexo, are the only mass-produced vehicles currently on sale to the public with this technology. Specifically, the price of the Toyota Mirai starts at around 65.000 euros. It is powered by a 182 hp electric motor, a fuel cell, a high-voltage battery and three hydrogen tanks with a capacity of 5,6 kg of hydrogen. Due to the configuration of the Hilux, adapting this technology does not seem complicated, since the hydrogen tanks, which take up the most space, can be located under the floor of the loading platform.

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The programme involves producing the first prototypes at Toyota Motor Manufacturing's Burnaston facility in 2023, and preparing for the manufacture of a small series to analyse the results and the feasibility of applying this technology in a segment that remains key for many industrial groups. Indeed, the United Kingdom is currently one of the main markets for pick-up vehicles.